Protest planned as fracking conference comes to Scarboro’

Carl Gavaghan

Campaigners against fracking in and around Scarborough are to stage a protest at a major industry conference at The Spa on Monday.

Organised by the Onshore Energy Services Group (OESG) and supported by the Scarborough Ambassadors, the “Future Business Opportunities for North Yorkshire Onshore Oil and Gas” conference will bring together major operators in the industry along with businesses to discuss opportunities to win contracts in the shale gas supply chain.
Groups including Frack Free Scrborough (FFS) and Friends of the Earth are to protest as the representatives arrive on Monday morning.
A FFS spokesperson said: “The fact that the 1.15pm session is entitled ‘The size of the prize’ shows gas companies and their political backers are only interested in profit. This community’s health and welfare is not a financial prize to be handed to the highest bidder.”
More than dozen licences for fracking exploration have been granted around North Yorkshire.
Simon Bowens, Friends of the Earth’s campaigner, added: “It is absolutely unwelcome that the fracking industry is gathering in Scarborough to discuss highly questionable business opportunities. This is in the face of huge opposition from local residents, parish councils and Ryedale District Council to fracking.”
North Yorkshire County Council is due to make a decision in the coming weeks about a plan for a shale gas site in Kirby Misperton.
OESG chief executive Lee Petts said: “With the potential for the oil and gas industry to really take off in the north of England with the award of the Round 14 licences, we wanted to make sure that Yorkshire businesses were well-placed to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way.”

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